In an unfortunate twist of timing, Colorado’s state-of-the-art Firehawk helicopter—purchased specifically to fight wildfires—has been sidelined for mandatory maintenance right in the middle of wildfire season.
According to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (CDFPC), the Firehawk was grounded on July 13 for scheduled inspections and servicing required by the manufacturer. The timing coincided with several lightning-sparked wildfires on the state’s Western Slope, including the still-active South Rim, Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, and Deer Creek fires.
“We currently have five mechanics working on this inspection to get it back up and operational ASAP,” said CDFPC spokesperson Tracy LeClair. While the standard maintenance process typically takes several weeks, LeClair noted, “We are hoping for sooner than that. They understand the urgency… without compromising safety.”
The Firehawk is a civilian version of the military’s UH-70 Black Hawk, modified for wildfire response. It features a 1,000-gallon belly tank, extended landing gear, and a retractable snorkel capable of refilling the tank in under a minute.
The state acquired the Firehawk after the devastating 2020 wildfire season—one of the worst in Colorado history, with record-breaking fires like Cameron Peak, Pine Gulch, and East Troublesome. In 2021, the Colorado legislature allocated nearly $31 million to purchase the helicopter and lease additional aircraft while awaiting delivery.
At the time of its grounding, the Firehawk had logged 480 flight hours—triggering the first major maintenance milestone. LeClair emphasized that such safety checks are non-negotiable and mirror those required by the military for similar aircraft.
“This is not like pulling a car into the shop,” she explained. “Aircraft maintenance cannot be delayed. One mistake or missed component failure could be catastrophic.”
The maintenance involves partial disassembly of the helicopter to inspect the airframe, flight controls, and internal components. Both engines will also be removed and inspected.
Looking ahead, LeClair confirmed that a second Firehawk is on order, with delivery tentatively set for late summer or early fall. Once in service, the state plans to stagger maintenance schedules to ensure at least one Firehawk remains available at all times.
“We were hoping to do this inspection in winter,” said LeClair. “But with this first aircraft, we didn’t have a choice.”
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply